Category: Sober Living Homes

Man holding blank card, not identifying with his addiction.

Identifying with Your Addiction

An individual’s identity, or self-image, constantly adapts to the environment, rather than just remaining static.

Most people are able to incorporate multiple different identities into their daily life. For example, someone may have a work identity in the workplace, along with a different identity while they are relaxing with friends and family.

Since identity is never fixed, as an adult, a person may have an evolved identity or self-image from their teen years.

The Identity of An Addict

People who fall into an addiction tend to adopt a certain new type of identity. Their new self-image is typically influenced by other substance abusers.

An addict identity may involve different beliefs, ideas, behaviors, and motivations, such as:

  • The priority in life is getting drunk or high
  • A belief that substance abuse causes people to be more creative
  • A distrust of addiction professionals
  • The idea that sober people are boring
  • A higher tolerance for sexual promiscuity than the average person
  • A willingness to use dishonesty to achieve a goal
  • An “us against them” mentality used to bond with other groups of addicts

How to Escape the Addict Identity

When an addict decides to become sober and to recover from their addiction, part of the process involves shedding the negative aspects of the addict identity. A recovering addict will often need to avoid friends and acquaintances with whom they used to drink or do drugs. These individuals will only pull the recovering addict back into their former identity.

To escape the addict identity you may decide what type of person you would like to become, and then move forward with building those positive personality traits.

The environment that you are in can have a huge effect on your identity. Therefore finding a sober living home can be one of the best steps to changing your life.

Contact the Tharros House today to learn more about how a sober living home may benefit you in your recovery.

Man Thinking About Alternatives for Alcohol and Drugs While Stressed

Alternatives to Drugs and Alcohol for Stressful Times

Experiencing stress can be a trigger for the consumption of alcohol and drugs. For former addicts, stress can contribute to a relapse of alcohol or drug abuse. Since many substances can give you temporary relief of the negative effects of stress, it may be tempting for former addicts to return to using these substances again. In order to be able to maintain your sobriety during stressful times in your life, it is crucial to learn to cope with stress without using alcohol or drugs.

Identify What You Can and Cannot Control

One of the first steps to coping with stress is to identify the source of your stress. From there, you can begin to identify what aspects of it you can and cannot control. For example, during this nationwide pandemic due to COVID-19, you may not be able to control whether or not you contract the virus—but you can control the steps that you take to protect yourself.

Make Time in Your Day to Do Something You Enjoy

Distraction can be a powerful tool in managing stress. During stressful times in your life, make sure to take time for yourself and engage in an activity that you enjoy. Having a happy experience may help alleviate some of the stress you are experiencing. At worst, it may provide a welcome distraction.

Participate in Physical Activity

Another way to cope with stress is to do a physical activity. One example would be to go for a run, as physical activities can release endorphins, which make you feel better. Staying physically active also has many health benefits—not only for your physical health but also for your emotional and mental health.

Sober living homes can provide structure for former addicts who are working hard to maintain their sobriety. These facilities can also help their residents by providing the tools to cope with stress in other ways. Contact the Tharros House today to learn more about how sober living homes may benefit you.

Sober Living During Covid-19 Epidemic

Sober Living Home Precautions in Boston Massachusetts During COVID-19 Virus

The onset of the COVID-19 virus in our country has caused our society to shift to new social distancing norms and has resulted in many changes in how our society operates. Protecting everyone’s safety is a primary concern during these times. For this reason, sober living homes have had to make some changes to resident meetings and activities.

Recovery Meetings

Recovery meetings are incredibly important to individuals who are suffering from addiction. Eliminating these meetings entirely can have disastrous consequences for the people that depend on them to help them continue their sobriety. Rather than eliminating meetings, sober living homes can offer small group meetings and also provide online meeting options.

Modifying Sober Living Home Schedules

Sober living homes can also take precautions by modifying their schedules to support social distancing. Many people all over the country have experienced job loss and layoffs due to the COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, this group includes many people who are living in sober living homes and working to maintain their sobriety in a supportive environment.

This is a difficult time for sober living residents who have lost their jobs, and to help continue to support them, sober living homes can modify their schedules. The schedules can be modified in order to provide more support meetings and also to provide resources for those seeking new jobs.

Telehealth Appointments

Sober living houses can also help to facilitate telehealth appointments for their residents by providing laptops and ensuring that residents have privacy during these appointments. Having access to telehealth appointments will be extremely helpful during this pandemic.

For more information about how sober living homes can benefit your addiction recovery in these uncertain times, call the Tharros House today at 617-697-1218 or fill out the form on our site. We can help you continue to maintain your sobriety by providing helpful tools and a supportive environment.